First World War hero to be finally buried 110 years on

A FIRST World War hero whose body lay undiscovered in France for more than a century can finally be laid to rest after DNA tests proved his identity.

- By Jack Fifield

Lieutenant James Allan was just 20 when he was killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos on September, 25, 1915.

An official report said the officer of the 9th Gordon Highlanders was last seen rallying infantry "in a most gallant manner".

His body might have remained missing but for builders who were working on the construction of a new hospital in Lens.

War records and the nearby discovery of buttons from his battalion led researchers to believe the remains could be those of Lt Allan, who came from Edinburgh.

In December 2023, the soldier's great nephew, chef Nicholas Allan, was asked to provide a DNA sample.